Source 1: http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/01/07/china-gamesconsoles-idINL3N0KH15920140107
Source 2: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/131078-China-Lifts-Ban-on-Sale-and-Production-of-Consoles
Source 3: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/444044/china-lifts-ban-on-foreign-game-consoles/
From the Reuters article:
[quote]China's State Council has temporarily lifted a ban on the sale of foreign games consoles, paving the way for firms like Sony Corp, Microsoft Corp and Nintendo Co Ltd to enter a multi-billion dollar video game market.
The suspension of the 14-year-old ban permits "foreign-invested enterprises" to make games consoles within Shanghai's free trade zone and sell them in China, providing they gain government approval, the government said in a statement posted on its website on Monday.
The statement gave no further details.
[/quote]
This move will undoubtedly greatly improve China's economy, I can tell you that right now. For companies such as Sony and Nintendo who are really hurting right now, this is a great opportunity for them to launch their consoles in China, and potentially rake in billions of Dollars (or well, Yen, in their case). Microsoft I'm sure will also attempt to move into the market, but I can't see them having a huge impact since it's an Asian country.
So the Chinese people may side with a more Asian company such as Sony or Nintendo, but there's the problem that they're Japanese companies, and with the whole dispute going on between China and Japan at the moment, that may hurt their sales in the market and POTENTIALLY give Microsoft a greater market share in China.
So China, get your game on, while it's legal.
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I can't wait to play against a Chinese person just so i can say "HERRO"
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Yay, more people playing video games! Always a good thing in my book.
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They wanted to play Destiny.
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Looks like for a while there won't be anymore cheap knock-off consoles that come from China.
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Wow. I was actually about to make a thread about this. Geez
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Sony is hurting?
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I don't think this is that as great for Sony, I'm sure it'll still be worth them investing in, but Japn did horrible things to China in WWII, and I think its possible that some may still hold a grudge over them for that.
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Edited by Azraels Sorrow: 1/8/2014 5:57:48 PMMicrosoft I'm sure will also attempt to move into the market, but I can't see them having a huge impact since it's an Asian country. I certainly agree with this statement. It's to bad we don't treat American companies this way.
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Hoooooooly shit. This is literally like a second goldrush for MS/Sony/Nintendo. I bet their CEOs are crying with joy right now :D Well... Nintendo and Sony might have a rougher time since there is the whole... China vs Japan thing that's been going on forever...
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Maybe they like that Kinnect spying ability also. I just chalk it up to someone at the Communist Party headquarters wants China knee deep in saving the last City of humanity and Who doesn't want to be a Hunter on the Moon? Or not. Let's just say Microsoft shouldn't be surprised when Xbox One knock offs start flooding the China market.
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I can jut imagine. As soon as the decision was made in China, all the CEOs would wake up and be like "I have the weirdest boner right now and I don't know why."
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What do they mean by temporary? They gunna let other companies come in for like a year and then be like "get out!!" Either way I'm all for new players. More noobs in Halo to decimate hehe
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Edited by Bloodylaser: 1/8/2014 4:14:26 PMCommunism is terrible
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PS4 is about to take off.
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Even if the Chinese are still somewhat Communists.. every human deserves a chance to enjoy great video games :P
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Wow that seams huge. I wonder how one does this temporarily. If they revoke it later, and stop letting the consoles be sold, do you still get to keep it?
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I like how there's almost no way to predict what's going to happen, this could be like the wii all over again, or like the wiiu all over again, or anything in between.
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Great! We could use the economic boost.
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The problems between China and Japan won't hurt Sony's and nintendo's sales by much. Sony's other products do quiet well
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I see them Chinese buying so many 3DS :o